"Sampling" in terms of the reports (newspaper, forums etc) I come across.

its not sampling error. The elderly and very young have far more cycling accidents per km, also far more at fault accidents.

Makes sense; I see kids falling over all the time at the skatepark. Young people and Older people have a lessened sense of balance and slightly slower coordination. They might just be smarter than the rest of us though

Hardly shocked by this accident, given the information in the article. Still very sad for all involved, and we will never hear the cyclists side of the story.

Interesting to read the last few paragraphs with all the people falling off their bikes, can everyone please focus and stay upright. Three people in one morning falling off and needing paramedics. More newspaper sampling or just a very bad morning for Melbourne?

Update – Fatal traffic crash, CoombabahFEBRUARY 11, 2012, 7:24 PMA man who was critically injured in a traffic crash at Coombabah this morning has died in hospital.

The crash occurred just before 10am when a vehicle travelling north on Oxley Drive struck a power pole and continued across the median strip into the southbound lane where it collided with a cyclist.

The 26-year-old cyclist was transported to the Gold Coast Hospital, but later died as a result of his injuries.

Police are seeking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or a white Ford Falcon utility being driven along Oxley Drive prior to the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Gee whiz. Car wasnt even on his side of the road. Feel very sorry for this guys family - my family fret whenever i ride and i can understand why. He was only a year younger than me. Too young to be lost like this

No lights, no helmet and possibility that she "may" have been listening to music.

Sensory deprivation whilst not wearing protective gear. As they stated that she suffered a head injury, maybe a helmet might have her still breathing.

Very sad start to the day.

I can't believe what the police and that article have stated. If this was two cars, the officer would never have mouthed off about 'what they think'. When there is a motor vehicle death they dont even tell you the basics, but in this article they proceed to tell you who had what light and even went so far as to say he wasn't speeding! unbelievable.

I get the impression that once she didn't have a helmet they don't really care - must have been cyclists fault. They mention she had headphones. Wow. Why not mention that the driver owns a mobile phone and a car stereo?

The article really highlights the latent bias people have against cyclists. I have no doupt that such bias spreds all the way through the investigation.

Absolute scum bag, 20 years, sod that, put him in a mental home for the criminally deranged for the rest of his life, he was speeding, didn't stop, fled the scene and was under the influence... His parents should be done also, obviously some parents don't educate their kids on right and wrong. This really gets my goat..

Australian Transport Safety Bureau, 2006 wrote:The most common type of crash in which cyclists were fatally injured was the cyclist being hit from behind by a motor vehicle travelling in the same lane in the same direction. Cyclists riding on rural roads are particularly at risk of being run over from behind....In each of the 5-year periods since 1990 (1991–95, 1996–00 and 2001–05) males accounted for over 80 per cent of cyclist deaths in road crashes.

Bicycles are safe in five EU countries but not the US. However 15 US cities have roads safety records for all road users comparable to the five bicycle friendly countries in EUROPE. The notion that bicycle lanes are safe without 50 Km/Hr speed limit is not true. The best thing that US bicyclists of all ages have going for them is a 25 Mile/Hr limit on most residential streets that are not main roads.

EU countries’ policies on road safety for their citizens have differed greatly in the past. Since 1990 remarkable progress has been made. In all countries fatality risk has been reduced by more than 40%. In 2010, the lowest fatality rates found in the United Kingdom 3.0, the Netherlands 3.7 and Sweden 3.0 deaths per 100.000 persons (IRTAD 2011). In the US the death rate is far higher at 10.5 per 100.000 persons. Even so there are there are 16 cities with much lower death rates per 100,000 population of 10.5 for all road users (Garrick & Marshal 2011). All these are cities bicycle and pedestrian friendly. ( Alan Parker 2011)

In the Netherlands cyclists’ deaths have reduced from 185 in 2009 to 162 in 2010. Since 1970 the reduction in road fatalities has benefited all age groups but the most impressive reduction has concerned young bicyclists (the age group 0 to 14) for which fatalities decreased by 95%, from 459 in 1970 to 23 in 2008 (IRTAD 2011). 70% of Dutch urban roads have a 30 Km/hr speed limit and the police take a tougher approach to unsafe drivers.

Dutch road deaths increased from 1950 (1,020), peaked in 1972 (3440) and then declined to 691 in 2010. The population grew from 10 million to 16.5 million in 2010. In 2010 the traffic death rate was 3.7, deaths/100,000 population. Since 1970, the reduction in child deaths (0 to 14) from 459 to 23 in 2008 was impressive, decreasing by 95%. For the elderly of 65+ years deaths reduced from 648 in 1970 to 187 in 2009 (IRTAD 2011).

Dutch Roads are safer because 70% of urban streets had speed limits of 30 km/h or less. in 2008. A similar development took place on rural roads. On all roads with bicycle lanes the speed limit is 50 km/hr. The notion that providing bicycle lanes with higher speed limits like USA is safe, is not true.

According to Wellemen, the former Manager of the Dutch Bicycle Masterplan, (NEPP 3 1998) the most important measure in increasing bicycle use in Dutch cities is reducing car parking on a systematic basis in inner urban areas which constrains car use (Wellemen 1999)

Wellemen, A G (1999) The Dutch Bicycle Master Plan:Description and Evaluation in a historical context, (English version) Ministry of Transport and Public Works and Water Management .Available free. Hard copy available from Alan. A. Parker.

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